Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn had decided to hang around the falls for awhile. Some days she'd explore, other days she'd spend the entire day out fishing. Today she was looking for an opponent for a race. She'd found a wonderful trail from the base to the top of the falls and was itching to find someone who would run that race with her. Her companions had both bowed out. Conveniently using 'hunting' as an excuse though she was almost certain that Tahmores had slunk off somewhere for a nap. Honestly Sævor probably had to. Tipping back her head she called out in the typical roar-bark of her kind, hoping to attract someone interested in running a race.

She was almost one-year-old which means slipping out of the maze unattended wasn't so bad, right? Unbeknownst to her, one of uncle Hattori's companions would follow her in the shadows to ensure her safety. Meanwhile, she would feel the exhilaration of being "alone" in the big world that her parents called Auster. Everything looked so large and fascinating as she made her way toward a loud booming noise. What could it be? Curious, she was close to finding out what a waterfall was when a barking call caught her attention.

Turning her plum face toward the long-legged stranger, she smiled. "Konnichiwa!" Rheum chirped as she approached the fire red lady. She had been practicing her Japanese lately to appear to her uncle and his homeland heritage. Truthfully, it was hard work and mixed with her mother's accent, she tended to switch between the lilted speech and foreign words randomly. "I'm Rheum! I heard your call. Did ya need help?" The growing pup looks up to Jynn as her tail wags between her legs.

R H E U M

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn's large ears pivoted, picking up the sounds of the world around her, in particular of something moving toward her. A challenger? Out from the brush popped a pup, one of the most brilliantly colored pups she'd ever seen in her life. She listened as the girl called out an unfamiliar greeting but soon followed up about Jynn's call.

Jynn grinned tail wagging. "Oh, no, I don't need help. I just have a lot of energy and want to race, you see there's a good patch right up along the side of the falls. Would you be interested in a little race? My name's Jynn." It probably would've been wish to consider whether or not the pup had family nearby but Jynn was fairly used to getting away with her unthreatening looks. A distorted fox on stilts was rarely the nightmare predator most parents dreamt about.

Fascinated by the long-legged girl's eye color, Rheum listened intently. With her tail still wagging, she let out a small yip at the suggestion of a race. "That sounds like fun!" She squeaked in her still maturing voice as she glanced over to where Jynn was pointing. "It's nice to meet you, Jynn! I'm Rheum," her voice is jovial as she turns her body slightly more toward the falls. Getting a good lay of the land to where they'd be racing, she felt the exhilaration rise back up in her. Racing up the side of the falls would be super exciting; if not slightly dangerous.

Bracing her paws against the soft dirt beneath her, she flexed her muscles. It wasn't often anyone ever wanted to race. They were always too busy hunting or sparring or mixing up potions or remedies. Not that she didn't enjoy the healing parts, but she also loved to explore and run and race! Glancing over to Jynn with a beaming smile, she nodded once. "On your say!" Rheum said as she tried to hold her excitement back just slightly.

R H E U M

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn smiled as the girl agreed to race her and introduced herself as Rheum. "Great!" She moved next to the pup and lined up, setting herself so she'd be closer to the falls as the ran. Jynn's long legs coiled in preparation. "Ok, so the path goes up the side of the falls. The finish line is a big red bud tree near the top. Don't worry, you can't miss it. It's full to the brim of pretty pink flowers. Ok… ready… set… Go!" Jynn hopped forward and started up the path, holding her speed in check so she could keep an eye on the pup as they raced. She wasn't necessarily the sort to just throw a race against a young opponent because they were young but she wasn't going to bolt clear ahead full speed either. Especially not when they were so close to running water.

Jynn vs Rheum for Race
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Master Navigator & Master Fighter

Rheum listened intently to Jynn's words. Run along the water, up the side, and finish at the pretty pink flower tree, got it! Nodding firmly, she flexed her toes in the grass beneath them as she smiled out of excitement. Oh, this was going to be so much fun! Her butt wiggled happily behind her and as soon as Jynn shouted 'go,' Rheum took off as fast as her still growing legs would take her. Focusing more on not stumbling over the occasional rock, she tried her hardest to keep up with the longer-legged girl. Letting her tongue hang from her mouth as she panted, Rheum let out a few yips for good measure. She was racing, actually racing someone and it was fun!  

Rheum vs Jynn for Race
Round 1/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Navigator & Advanced Healer

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn did her best to mind her steps. Being closer to the falls meant more spray and wetter rocks but she was more than happy to take on the added risk. It was fun to get out and race again and the warm sun was swift to evaporate the spillover. At the girls yips Jynn added a few of her own, calling out in the unusual roar-bark of her kind before turning to the girl and calling out. "You're very fast, this is going to be a good race!" She could almost see the top of the trail now. It was getting a bit steeper and Jynn was finding she needed to push more with her hind legs to propel herself forward and up.

Jynn vs Rheum for Race
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Master Navigator & Master Fighter

The unusual roar-bark from Jynn almost caught the girl off guard. Not that it was a bad sound but a new sound! Interested, Rheum's ears turned to listen as she lost focus. Right when Jynn mentioned that it would be a good race, she felt her paws stumble on the slick rock. Even with the sun warming her back and drying the rocks around them, it was still tough work making it up the steep incline! "Oh, this is slippery!" Rheum chirped as she regained her composure, noticing that she was just behind Jynn. Determined to give it her all after her near fall, Rheum pushed her hind legs harder into the ground so she could try to propel herself faster toward the finish line.

Rheum vs Jynn for Race
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Navigator & Advanced Healer

And the winner is...

RHEUM

JYNN must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Jynn: Speed Roll: 25 Stamina Roll: 8 Balance Roll: 15 Total: 48 Speed[25] + 5% Bonus[1.25]: 26.25 Stamina[8] + 5% Bonus[0.40]: 8.40 Balance[15] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 15.00 Total[49.65] + 25% Bonus[12.41]: 62.06 Rheum: Speed Roll: 68 Stamina Roll: 54 Balance Roll: 74 Total: 196 Speed[68] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 68.00 Stamina[54] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 54.00 Balance[74] + 10% Bonus[7.40]: 81.40 Total[203.40] + -15% Bonus[-30.51]: 172.89